Luke Littler retained his Darts Grand Slam title in Wolverhampton and celebrated becoming world No1 by overtaking Luke Humphries with an impressive 16-11 win.
The final was made even more favorable by the confirmation that Littler had secured a spot in the Big Dance and would take the world number one spot from Humphries by shuffling the rankings just before the final, marking Littler as the youngest world number one in the history of the sport.
Littler then came to life in key moments, recording checkouts of 167 and 160, plus five breaks in throws, showing why he is considered the best in the long-distance format and ensuring a double against Humphries in one day.
The Grand Slam final was the sixth major final between the two rooks, joining the World Darts Championship final, two Premier League finals, the Players Championship final and the World Grand Prix final.
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Luke Littler had two big finishes at 167 and 160, with Luke Humphries teasing “The Nuke.”
Littler’s victory improved his record to 3 wins and 3 losses, giving him the Premier League, World Grand Prix, and Grand Slam titles.
This will be Littler’s second time lifting the Eric Bristow Trophy, adding to his 16-3 record over Martin Lukeman in 2024.
By making back-to-back appearances, Littler joins the esteemed list of Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price who have defended their titles at Wolverhampton.
Not only that, but he is still undefeated in this major.
Littler: It was a ‘weird’ win | Humphries: I’m going to win the world championship
Although it was Littler’s night, Humphries remained bullish and said he remains more motivated than ever to get back to the top of the rankings, and that starts with a win at the world championship.
“I’m really proud. I’ve lost three finals in the trot. I’m ready for the world championships. I’m going to win the world championships,” Humphries said.
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Luke Humphries declared he intended to fight Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship when the two exchanged a friendly word after Littler won the Darts Grand Slam.
“I’m making this (declaration of war) because obviously I’m disappointed after losing the last three finals, but I’ve been playing well and fatigue is creeping in towards the end.
“But one game a day suits me. It’s going to be a war.
“World Championship, the final is me and him. Let’s see who will be number one there.”
Littler always responded, but…
“Me and him are definitely going to fight for it,” he said.
“Everyone’s eyes are on the £1 million (Alexandra Palace prize), but I’m sure Luke wants to win back the world title and I’m also aiming for a repeat.
“I think money is probably the last thing we think about because these world titles don’t come very often.”
How will the Grand Slam final go?
You would expect a high level of darts from two of the best players on the planet and that’s exactly what was on display in the first five legs, with both players averaging over 107 and Humphries taking a narrow 3-2 lead after losing 2-0 as his spin helped win the third leg and two breaks in the throw.
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Luke Littler showed off his dance moves as he lifted the Eric Bristow Trophy after winning the Darts Grand Slam.
The second session was not as dramatic as the first, with the level of the doubles pair dropping and they trailing down to 5-5. In fact, the highlight was Humphries’ clutch 116 checkout to even things up after Littler missed two darts for a 6-4 advantage.
The match went 8-7 in Humphries’ favor, and there was really nothing that could separate the two players until the new No. 1 player made a decision to spice things up.
After a massive 167 checkout to the break-throw, he won 7 of 9 darts, but narrowly missed T17 in eighth.
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Luke Littler showed off his dance moves as he lifted the Eric Bristow Trophy after winning the Darts Grand Slam.
The play then reached new heights as Littler found more magic with a sensational 160 checkout at the top of the slow break to extend his lead to 11-9 at a pivotal moment in the match. Littler let out a vicious roar in the process, after which Humphries jokingly punched Littler to break the ice.
From there, it felt inevitable that Littler would take home the trophy again, and after a pitching break after 25 legs and one leg away from victory, he completed his historic defense by taking D9 with his own pitch.
How did Littler and Humphries make it to the finals?
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts semi-final between Luke Littler and Danny Knoppert
Littler won seven straight legs over Danny Knoppert, winning 16-9 and making it to back-to-back finals in Wolverhampton.
It was all Knoppert in the early going as Littler got excited along with the crowd and the Dutchman opened up a 3-2 lead, then extended the lead to 6-4 with a big break on the throw.
Littler then hit 11 darters to level the field at 8-8 and it looked like things were starting to click, but Knoppert wasn’t going to let go and checked out a clutch 116 to move up 8-7 and halfway through the final.
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Luke Littler defeats Danny Knoppert in Grand Slam of Darts semi-final to book final against arch-rival Luke Humphries and becomes new world number one
But then Littler stepped on the gas, spun on seven legs and took control, allowing Knoppert’s double to tip him over and giving The Nuke his 13th straight Grand Slam win.
Meanwhile, Humphries reached the final with an impressive 16-13 battle against Gerwyn Price, hitting 16 180s and averaging 106.25 points.
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts semi-final between Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price
‘Cool Hand’ got off to a great start to race to 5-1, coming out on top with a stunning double and top draw 142 checkout.
Despite Price showing real class, Humphries’ incredible consistency continued to negate the Welshman’s breakthroughs, increasing his lead to 11-9, before converting a crucial slow break in the 25th leg to extend the lead to 14-11.
This gave him enough breathing room to sustain his throw and ultimately clinched the game with a D5.
What’s next?
The next major TV show to be broadcast live on Sky Sports is the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace from December 11th to January 3rd. Stream darts, soccer, golf, cricket and more now with no contract.
